Treatment Patterns in Early Stage NSCLC in Asia: Findings From the ELEVATE Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Clinical Practice
• Asia Pacific Healthcare

Background:

• Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management is evolving with novel therapeutic options.
• A lack of specific guidelines for the Asia Pacific region necessitates understanding regional treatment decision factors.
• Effective clinical practice requires insight into diverse management patterns for early-stage NSCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current management patterns for early-stage NSCLC in six Asia Pacific territories.
• To identify factors influencing treatment choices for early-stage NSCLC in the region.
• To provide insights into real-world clinical practice for NSCLC management in Asia Pacific.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among lung cancer specialists in Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• Physicians evaluated treatment considerations for early-stage NSCLC across three patient groups defined by AJCC staging.
• Data were collected from June 2022 to July 2023.

Main Results:

• 212 physicians completed the survey, frequently screening high-risk individuals and utilizing biomarker testing.
• Recommended treatments included surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiation, or chemoradiation followed by immunotherapy, varying by stage and oncogenic alterations.
• Cisplatin was preferred over carboplatin; neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies were more likely for patients with better performance status and higher nodal stage.

Conclusions:

• Early-stage NSCLC management in Asia Pacific generally follows international guidelines but exhibits regional variations.
• The study offers valuable insights into real-world management practices across the Asia Pacific.
• Findings will aid clinicians in making informed treatment decisions for early-stage NSCLC.